Celtic have been front and centre when it comes to player recognition this season.
The team dominated the PFA Scottish Premiership Team of the Year with no fewer than seven inductees.
We also have two up for the Player of the Year in Kyogo and Reo Hatate. And for the Young Player of the Year Award Matt O’Riley and Liel Abada have also been nominated.
Former Celtic hero Peter Grant has said Matt O’Riley should win the YPOTY Award simply based on what the midfielder did in the Champions League.
Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show, Grant said, “I would go for [Matt] O’Riley. Because I think he did a hell of a lot in the European games for Celtic. And I think it went unseen.
“Because he was playing a different role within the team and he had to sacrifice what he’s good at for the benefit of the team.
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“And I thought he done it exceptionally well. I had a question mark over him myself and he’d done exceptionally well.”
For his first appearances in the Champions League, O’Riley did very well. Facing up to Real Madrid, RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk is not an easy thing to do considering he was playing in the English third tier with League One side MK Dons just the season before.
O’Riley lost his place in the team to Aaron Mooy after the Australian returned from the World Cup in brilliant form but has now forced his way back in after impressive performances against Rangers, Kilmarnock and Hearts.
It is worth noting that Grant worked closely with Matt O’Riley during the Danish u21’s youth period. The former Celtic man was his coach when he was at Fulham in 2017 and has always held O’Riley in high regard.
For me, either O’Riley or Abada are worthy winners. Both have contributed massively to what could become a record-breaking season for Celtic.